St. Peter's Church (German title: Peterskirche) is one of Munich's main attractions and the oldest Church in the city, and in the high Church tower is an observation deck - one of the best in the city.
The people the locals affectionately refer to the Church of the "Old Peter" (Alter Peter / Alter Peter).
St. Peter's Church - Roman Catholic Church, which originates from the 11th century.
Before the Foundation of Munich as a city (1158) on the site of an earlier Church on the hill Petersbergl (or hill of Peter) was a small Shrine. Near the Church the monks lived.
The dedication of the new Church took place in the late 12th century. Then the Church was built in Bavarian Romanesque style. Over time the Shrine has undergone extensions and renovations as well as changed its architectural style: Gothic style, Renaissance, Baroque.
In the 18th century the Church was redesigned by the architect Johann Baptist Zimmermann in the Rococo style.
The Church was badly damaged during the bombing of world war II. Reconstruction work lasted until 2000.
Thanks to the alterations and renovations undertaken during the rich history of the Church, today the Shrine like in appearance, and the interior, visible features of several architectural styles.
High and only the bell tower of the Church, with rounded elements and a green steeple, is a single structure with the main portal and rushes into the sky at 91 meters. Placed on the tower clock tower, which are the old town clock was in Munich and have eight faces: two each of the 4 sides of the tower.
In the Church tower are eight bells. Four of them are historic bells that were cast between 1327 and 1720. Call today only seven of the eight bells. The smallest and the oldest bell, which is referred to as a "poor sinner's bell", is beyond the barred window in the basement of the tower - in ancient times the sound of the bells heard during executions on the Marienplatz.
Side facade of St. Peter's Church
Rear facade of St. Peter's Church
The interior of a Basilica dominates the main Baroque altar to which Erasmus of Graser made a figure of St. Peter. Among other masterpieces in the Church there are five Gothic paintings by Jan Polack and several altars of Ignaz günther.
The remarkable ceiling frescos in Baroque works by the German artist Johann Baptist Zimmermann 1753-56 years. The frescoes were restored in 1999-2000.
Also notable sculpture, the pulpit and the organ located in the Church.
In the walls of the Church, in one of the side aisles behind the iron bars, in a glass sarcophagus lies the relics of one of the early Christian martyrs of the Holy Roman Munditia (Saint Munditia), decorated with jewels. In the Baroque era the idea of "memento mori" ("Remember that you are mortal") was omnipresent. The remains of the Saint who lived in Rome about 250 years, and after the death of her relics had long been in the Roman catacombs, was sent to St. Peter's Church as a gift in the 17th century.
The observation deck at St Peter's Church in Munich
Currently, the Church is a popular item among tourists, and all thanks to the fact that the Old Peter is situated in the heart of the old town of Munich, near Marienplatz and New town hall, and in the tower of the Shrine, at a height of 56 meters, is an outdoor observation deck, granting 360-degree panoramic view.
Entrance to the observation deck is on the right side of the main portal of the Church. Then, the 306 steps in the Church lead to the observation deck.
From the observation deck of St. Peter's Church offers a beautiful panoramic view on the square Marienplatz with New and Old town hall, old town and the surrounding area and in good weather you can see the Alps.
Remark! Almost opposite St. Peter's Church at Marienplatz, the Neues Rathaus tower also has an observation deck observation platform, with views of Munich and the surrounding area, including at St. Peter's Church. However, a more complete view of the Marienplatz opens with a viewing of the Church of Peter (subjective opinion). Read more about the New town hall and lookout.
Photo of view of St Peter's Church, Old town hall and Marienplatz from the observation deck of the New town hall
Practical information
St. Peter's Church located on the square Petersplatz (Peterspl.), the address: street Rindermarkt, 1 (Rindermarkt).
The entrance to the Church is free (free).
The ascent to the observation deck of the Church pay:
- adult ticket - € 5;
- children (6 - 18 years) - € 2. Children under 6 years stay free of charge;
- students (with valid ID) - € 3.
Working hours tower:
- summer lifting hours (April-October): daily from 9:00 to 19:30 (last entry at 19:00);
- winter lifting hours (November-March): Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 18:30 (last entry at 18:00). Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 09:00 to 19:30 (last entry at 19:00);
- special opening hours: Christmas (12/24/2022) from 9:00 to 14:00 (last entry at 13:30); New Year (12/31/2022) from 9:00 to 14:00 (last entry at 13:30); New Year (01.01.2023) closed; Shrovetide Tuesday (02/21/2023) closed; Good Friday (07.04.2023) closed; Corpus Christi (08.06.2023) from 12:00 to 19:30 (last entry at 19:00); Parish Day (11.06.2023) from 12:00 to 19:30 (last entry at 19:00).
Attention! Opening hours and ticket prices are subject to change, please specify the information just before visiting (alter-peter).
